COMMUNITY FORUM

GFI won't reset

I am needing to tap some power at a small commercial establishment. For some reason, the GFIs don't reset. There doesn't seem to be any faults but I was wondering if GFIs these days needed something in particular to reset them. I turn the breakeers off and then off but the receptacles remain tripped. Any suggestions?

If the GFCI receptacles cannot be reset and they are fairly new, then check to see if they are mis-wired or install a known good one and see what happens. Newer GFCI's that can no longer provide ground fault protection cannot be reset and if mis-wired cannot be reset.

If you're still having problems, check for power at the first GFCI receptacle, newer ones cannot be reset if there is no power.

After that, I'd say the GFCI is doing its job and is clearing a ground fault. Remember, a neutral that is making contact with any grounded part of the wiring, such as a metal box or conduit, is also a ground fault.